Scouting Camera

[David Frank]

I have never used a scouting or trail camera before and currently do not own one. Does anyone have any advice on the best make or model for the price? I would rather not spend a fortune. What are the advantages to certain types. Also, any tips on use and setup would be appreciated.

Thank You,

Dave

[Grandee]

My first camera was a Stealth digital--really poor battery life, took it back and bought a Leaf River DC1. Nice camera for about $300. If you can afford it go digital. Leaf River is a good way to go. Good Luck

[hookset]

I just bought a new leaf river dc2 I am having troubles with it takeing pictures when the wind blows. I tried to start a thread on the deer hunting board on wether people thought ir or motion sensors where better,with no succes. Still woundering though. leaf river has a new camera out in the new cabelas 6.3 mega pixels with a infa red sensor. I think that will be my next camera..

joe

[David Frank]

Thanks guys. Keep the input coming. Any help is appreciated.

Dave

[Mark Christianson]

Hey Hookset/David

I have 3 Leaf Rivers. I do not have any problems with branches, leaves, grass blowing and setting it off prematurely. UNLESS its within about a foot of the camera.

I guess I have not thought about infrared vs motion sensors. I guess I have just been assuming that cameras sensors are basically the same.

There are infrared cameras. But sensors, I have never even thought of it.

PS - A 6.3 mp camera is a big waste of money if you ask me. Unless you want to make posters out of your pics. 2 MP is just fine for trail monitoring. You get a decent pic, and clarity good enough to do some zooming on it.

Cuddeback has a new one coming out called the Excite. 2.0 MP, the same fast trigger as their other previous models, and none of the fancy so-called "advanced" features. Its the camera for ME!

KISS

Keep It Simple Stupid

[FL SNIPER]

This past winter I purchased a Wildview 2.0 digetel camera (about $99). It's my first trail camera. I've had it out since April...and so far...I am very pleased and it has performed very satisfactory. It runs on 4 C batteries and uses a SD memory card. I bought two sets of energizer rechargeable batteries and a battery charger (roughly $50)...this system seems to work very well for me. The batteries usually last a couple weeks...which is good for me since I live fairly close and can check the camera on a somewhat regular basis. When I check the camera I just replace the batteries, take out the SD card and put in another SD card (I'm fortunate to have a regular sony digetel camera that also uses the SD card so I have some spares)...then when I get home I just put the SD card in my regular camera to view the pictures and download to my computer. If you don't have a regular digetel camera that uses SD cards, I believe you'd have to take the trail camera out of the woods in order to load them on your computer...or take your computer (lap top) in the woods with you...but that would be terrible this time of year with the bugs...I have to wear a bug suit when I go check my camera...so its in and out as quick as possible and I wouldn't want to be messing around trying to load or even look at my pictures out in the woods.

Not sure if this is the camera for you...but for me...its worked out very well....and the camera takes good pictures...check out some of Chucker34's pics in the trail cam post...he has Wildview 2.0 also.

[chucker34]

Ditto on the Wildview. I really like it for the price. Its a workhorse and delivers clear pics - most of the time. You get what you pay for however. You'll notice BLB's photos are much clearer than mine. I may upgrade to one of those cuddy's or leaf rivers, but for now this is doing the trick. I had to spend the money I would have spent on a cuddy on a new rest, stabilizer, arrows, broadheads target, and ground blind. You have to space these purchases out or the wife will want something meaningless like a new living room set.

[BLACKJACK]

Quote:

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You have to space these purchases out or the wife will want something meaningless like a new living room set.

---

So true!! I laughed over that one, especially the 'meaningless' part. To women its important but guys would be thinking 'You just got a new one 8 years ago!!!'

[BLACKJACK]

I have two Leaf Rivers, they take nice pictures and the battery life is outstanding, but thats only if they work. I've had to send both cameras back multiple times for different problems, they do have good service but its a pain in the rear. Fool me once, fool me twice, but for $250-$300 I want something more reliable. And these cameras are new last year, what will they be like in 5 years? I also bought one of the $99 Moultries. It seems to work fine but its a battery hog, I can go thru a battery in a week. I need to invest in the rechargeable batteries and a charger, then I think it will be a serviceable camera.

The price of all electronics keep coming down, I'm going to stick with what I've got for a year or two, then get another one. I think its going to be a Camtraker, I've heard lots of good things about them and the price is coming down.

As others have stated, go digital!!! I can get 40 pictures in two days, think of all the ones that you'd miss with a film camera. Get two cards for each camera and just get a card reader to hook up to your PC. Look on hsolist for a good deal.

Be careful, these cameras are addicting!

[Woodsy]

I agree with what has been said, 6 megapixels does seem like a waste of money unless you are looking for pictures you can enlarge and frame. 2 or 3 megapixels is plenty. I have a Cuddeback that takes wonderful pictures at 3 megapixals. Battery life with the Cuddeback is excellent, you are suppose to get up to 1500 pictures with one set of batteries in the summer. I got 400 pictures with used batteries and I took them out when I go down to level two on my battery level indicator because I would not be back to check it for about a month. When I buy again I am going to drop down to 2 megapixels to save money, after all we are just scouting for deer.

I have not tried a Leaf River or Wildview, but the pics these guys are posting look just fine to me.

Check out our pictures in the Hunting/Deer-Bear-Moose section.

[chucker34]

Blackjack, my wife is very supportive of my hunting and the associated purchases - and rarely raises an eyebrow at most purchases. However, she did call into question my purchase of ANOTHER ground blind as I already had one and two treestands. I asked her if she had more than one pair of shoes.

She also likes to rib me - asking me every time I buy something what I think she should buy for herself so we're even.

[BLACKJACK]

Chucker, I hope you realize I was just kidding!

My wife said to me last week "you're an expensive guy to maintain". Thats after I started talking up a 'to good to pass up' deal on a used 4 wheeler. And that after she forked over some major cash this spring on my tractor upgrade. Shes a keeper!

[chucker34]

I sure did Blackjack. I wasn't worked up or anything. Just qualifying her mock objections to my purchases with the way she really feels, which is happy I have a hobby like this. Also, I'll have to pull out your tractor story the next time I want to buy a Double Bull Blind or a new bow or something like that. "Well this one guy just bought a new tractor, but I'm just talking about an inexpensive Double Bull or bow."

[Mark Christianson]

LMAO!!!!!

I suggest EVERYONE try that approach when buying something!! Excellent!

[tealitup]

Ok guys. I want to spend about $150.00 or so - I plan no going up north the weekend of July 28th. I noticed that some have the 12 volt battery for the field.

I will only be able to check the camera about once a month. I plan on buying the SD card also. I do not need awesome pictures, rather some that will be okay and give me an idea of whats out there.

Specifically, deer, beer, moose and wolves should be caught in this area. I have made a small food plot area with corn, minarals, salt and a ground mixture.

A bear ripped a 55 gallon feeder off the tree and crushed the hard steel barrel - ripped the motor off- Tore the tree to bits.

The paw marks were larger then my hand. Both sets -rear and front. Do not know how big that is but... I want to find out.

[tealitup]

what about this one?

Regular price: $199.95

Sale price: $119.95

You Save: $80.00

Bushnell Sentry 2.1MP Digital Trail Camera 119200 w/ FREE UPS

Spend less and you won't miss a thing.

With one of the quickest trigger times on the market, extra-long battery life and an incredibly affordable price, the Bushnell Trail Sentry Digital Camera is a sharp little lookout you'll want an army of. It captures sharp digital photos of short video clips day and night. Bushnell honed the technology and shaved the price to make the ultimate season attainable for virtually anyone.

Specifications of Bushnell Sentry 2.1MP Digital Trail Camera 119200:

Bushnell Sentry 2.1MP Digital Trail Camera 11-9200

Image Sensor 2.1MP

Lens t/3.5, 42mm

Flash Xenon, 15 ft.

Motion Indicator Yes

LCD Display Yes

Exposure Auto

White Balance Yes

Power Supply D-Cell(4)

Battery Life 30 Days

User Password Yes

PIR Range 45

Features of Bushnell Sentry 2.1MP Digital Trail Camera 11-9200:

2.1MP high-quality full-color camera

Low- and high- resolution settings

Infrared sensor is motion activated out to 45'

4 D-Cell batteries (user supplied)

Adjustible web belt strap with buckle

SD card slot

Easy-to-use system

Still and movie modes

Flash range of 15'

Motion LED lights when activity is sensed

Low battery indicator

Password protected

[hookset]

Do you have one of these or just come across a deal?

I'll take one if there as good as you say.

joe

[Woodsy]

Not sure how well that one performs. It says it can detect motion out to 45ft but the flash only goes to 15ft. You may have a lot of night pictures with nothing much on them. Its funny how all the manufactures say they have a fast trigger speed and long battery life but you never know till you try it.

If you buy it make sure you keep the receipt and packaging just in case it doesn't perform. Most stores only have a 30 day return policy so you may want to make a trip up north to check it in 2 or 3 weeks.

If you buy it and it works great let the rest of us know, we are always interested in getting more cameras and a good price.

[tealitup]

No I do not have one; it was one I found on the Internet.

I see Cabelas has the same one on sale for $199.99-

They also have a Moultrie Outfitter cam

4.1 Mp

30 ft flash

16mb internal memory

129.99

[bigyooper]

Call me, I will set you up with one.

I can give you the FM deal.

[Dave]

I ended up buying a Stealth WD2, 2MP. Cabela's price matched from an online store at $155! The Cabela's Moultrie Feeder cam at $129 looked good but I didn't want to invest more for 6-volt batteries/charger. I'll just use my Vexilar 12-volt battery for the Stealth. I can't want to try it now.